Temple Sinai stands with the Union for Reform Judaism and their view on the Russian aggression in Ukraine. You can read the URJ’s statement below or click on the button to be taken to the original posting of the article.
Originally published on the Union for Reform Judaism website on February 23, 2022.
February 23, 2022 – Russian aggression is a threat to Ukraine’s democracy, its independence, and to a stable Europe and global community. We are deeply concerned about the potential for military action and the resulting loss of life spurred by Vladimir Putin’s seemingly insatiable desire to fulfill his vision of a new Russian empire. The fact that Ukraine’s fragile democracy could be subsumed by the kind of malevolent acquisitiveness common in Europe’s past is heartbreaking. We also know from history that in such circumstances, the Jewish community tends to be a target for particular violence, and we are fearful of such an outcome here as well.
We appreciate the ongoing efforts of President Biden, Vice President Harris, and other world leaders, including the strong statements from members of the UN Security Council, who are working to avert bloodshed and thwart Putin’s goals. And we will continue to support steps to strengthen Ukrainian democracy and secure the well-being of Ukraine’s Jewish community. Those wishing to support the individuals and communities within Ukraine’s Jewish population can do so through the World Union’s Ukraine Crisis Fund.
Rabbi Rick Jacobs
President, Union for Reform Judaism
Jennifer Brodkey Kaufman
Chair, North American Board of Trustees of the Union for Reform Judaism
Rabbi Hara Person
Chief Executive, Central Conference of American Rabbis
Rabbi Lewis Kamrass
President, Central Conference of American Rabbis
Rabbi Sergio Bergman
President, World Union for Progressive Judaism
Carole Sterling
Chair, World Union for Progressive Judaism
Cantor Claire Franco
President, American Conference of Cantors
Rachel Roth
Chief Operating Officer, American Conference of Cantors
JEWISHcolorado has established an emergency fund in support of the work of our global partners who are responding with critical services on the ground. Temple Sinai supports the efforts of JEWISHcolorado.
An email sent out by JEWISHcolorado on February 24, 2022.
To the Colorado Jewish community:
With a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine now underway and multiple cities under fire, our concern for the Jewish community there is accelerating. JEWISHcolorado has established an emergency fund in support of the work of our global partners who are responding with critical services on the ground.
Additionally, our global partners are tracking potential vulnerabilities within the Russian Jewish community which might emerge in response to the strong Israeli position supporting Ukraine. We continue to be in close contact with Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), and World ORT, all of which are evolving their own responses to the situation. JFNA has also heard from other organizations operating in Ukraine, including Moishe House, Hillel, Chabad, and Hatzalah, and they are aggregating and collecting information about community needs.
We know that there are already critical needs for the following:
JFNA estimates upwards of $16 million will be required to cover immediate and short-term needs.
With the safety of at least 200,000 Jews at risk, JEWISHcolorado is supporting the work of our global partners on the ground in Ukraine, Russia, and Poland to address immediate needs. Every dollar raised for our Ukraine Emergency Fund, in addition to what JEWISHcolorado already provides to our global partners, will go to these organizations.
This work is urgent. We know as a people that whenever and wherever one Jew is threatened, we are all threatened.
Thank you for your compassion and generosity,
Rabbi Jay Strear
President & CEO
Rob Kaufmann
Board Chair
